Kazakhstan and Russia are further expanding trade and economic cooperation. The foreign trade turnover between the two countries amounted to more than $12 billion last year. The parties intend to develop partnerships, including ties in the agro-industrial complex and oil and gas industry. These prospects were discussed at the Fourth International Investment Forum in Uralsk. More than 100 enterprises presented their products at the exhibition of goods. The foreign trade turnover of the West Kazakhstan region has reached $2.5 billion. $200 million accounts for trade with Russia. More than 200 joint ventures operate in the region.

YURI BERG, GOVERNOR OF RUSSIA’S ORENBURG REGION:

- We are one of the main partners of Kazakhstan. We have long-standing cooperation, particularly, in the development of the Karachaganak field. I came here today, brought my colleagues and saw many interesting things.

ALTAI KULGINOV, GOVERNOR OF WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION:

- Along with the Orenburg region, we were visited by enterprises from Samara and the Saratov region. Businessmen are communicating with each other. There are a lot of projects in construction, agriculture, processing, cattle breeding and plant growing. Therefore, the scope of work is very large, this forum creates great opportunities for the business community.

Kazakh producers and their Russian partners concluded five agreements on export of products from Kazakhstan at a business forum in Novosibirsk. Administration of the third largest city of Russia encourages business activity that is fostered by the Eurasian Economic Union.

- We see the results now. The export of products from Novosibirsk to Kazakhstan increased by 40%, in turn, the export of Kazakhstani products doubled. It signifies that we, as neighbors, have passed the moment of integration, and we need each other.

EXPO 2017 participants from Novosibirsk are visiting the cities of Kazakhstan as part of a business mission. They intend to open a network of large metal-service centers worth half a billion rubles.

MIKHAIL KAMAYEV, STAFF, NOVOSIBIRSK MAYOR’S OFFICE:

- You have created a very profitable economic ecosystem, which attracts entrepreneurs. I see that our entrepreneurs are highly interested. This is the first. And the second, Novosibirsk, is a city of science and high technologies after all. That is why Kazakhstani enterprises are interested in consuming high technologies.

The next major Kazakh-Russian business forum will be held in November in the capital of Tatarstan. A package of new contracts is being prepared for this meeting.